Take on allergy season, and be proactive with Xlear. Breathe Better Be Better!

With ragweed season upon us, it’s time to consider swapping hay fever misery (or never-ending allergy medications) for natural remedies.

Immediate Allergy Relief

The sooner you start, the better, but some herbs lend a hand even during an allergy attack.

• Petadolex

  This extract of butterbur (Petasites hybridus) removes the liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from the roots.

  It’s one of the best-researched herbal supplements for seasonal allergies and tends to work well for asthma and migraines.

  In clinical studies, it performed as well as Zyrtec and Allegra, without drowsy side effects.

• Nettle

  Even though this plant contains histamine and other inflammatory compounds in its stinging hairs, when taken as a supplement, nettle (Urtica dioica) decreases inflammation and has an antihistamine response, acting via multiple allergy pathways.

  Try a milliliter or two of fresh plant tincture as needed and preventively.

  You can take it solo or combine it with other allergy support herbs.

• Mucus Drainers

  The following herbs have not been put up to scientific scrutiny, but they have a long history of use for allergies and excessive mucus.

  Like nettles, both work best when the tinctures are made from fresh plant material.

  • Goldenrod

    Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) helps thin and drain mucus. It also offers some antihistamine support and blends well with nettle.

  • Horehound

    The intensely bitter horehound (Marrubium vulgare) thins and drains mucus particularly well in situations like annoying postnasal drip.

• Mucus Driers

  Another set of plants are known as “anticatarrhal,” which means they help remove excess mucus, often with a more drying effect compared to the previously mentioned “water movers.”

  Most of these herbs work best (and fastest) as tinctures, but you will also find many of them in encapsulated allergy blends.

  Berberine-rich herbs fall into this category, and can also be added to a neti wash to fight sinusitis and sinus infections.

  • barberry (Berberis spp.)
  • Oregon grape root (Mahonia spp.)
  • goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
  • coptis (Coptis spp.)
  • eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
  • purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • bayberry (Myrica cerifera) root bark

  Be aware that goldenseal, eyebright, and some stands of coptis and Oregon grape root are threatened in the wild. Seek organically cultivated sources.

Prevention & Long-Term Support

Allergies occur when the immune system is irritated and malfunctioning, eliciting an immune response to otherwise harmless substances.

Over time, you may be able to decrease incendiary inflammation and retrain the immune system so that you’re less reactive to pollen and other allergens in the first place.

While you can begin making changes during allergy season, it’s often more helpful if you start a few weeks or months prior. And if you’re an intensely allergy-prone person, give yourself a year or more of TLC.

• The Hygiene Theory

  Several studies suggest that the immune systems of those in first-world countries begin to overreact to harmless substances like pollen because we live in an environment with too much sanitization.

  The immune system lacks the opportunity for normal, healthy pathogenic challenges and instead gets an itchy trigger finger.

  This may also tie into microbiome research that links the well-being of beneficial bacteria in our bodies (particularly in the large intestine) to overall well-being, including immune function.

  For example, one Swedish study found that children who grew up in households that washed dishes by hand (versus with a dishwasher), ate fermented food, and focused on food that came directly from farms were less likely to have allergic conditions, possibly due to microbial exposure. 

  While this research is still new, adding probiotic supplements and/or fermented foods like sauerkraut to your diet may gradually improve your microbiome, and immune function, and make you less reactive (although 1 percent of the population may find that fermented foods actually aggravate an underlying histamine intolerance).

• Medicinal Mushrooms

  Medicinal mushrooms including reishi, chaga, and shiitake, as well as astragalus root, appear to send your immune system back to boot camp by giving it a healthy challenge so that it gradually begins to behave more properly.

  You can take these in various supplement forms, but I also like simmering them into broths or tea that can be frozen or concentrated down into ice cubes for regular use in recipes. Simmering them for hours in water helps extract the beneficial polysaccharides.

• Diet and Allergies

  Think of reactivity like a bucket that’s apt to overflow if you put too much into it. Food allergies and sensitivities are particularly common in people with seasonal allergies.

  I often see seasonal allergies (and eczema and gut issues) disappear when we sleuth out and remove personal trigger foods such as dairy or gluten.

  It also makes sense to eat a clean diet loaded with fresh produce, reduce stress and exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants, sleep well, and heal the gut if it’s inflamed or “leaky.”

• Herbs for Prevention

  • Quercetin

    This bioflavonoid is particularly helpful if started a few weeks before your typical allergy season. Quercetin acts as an antihistamine.

    It blends well with the previously mentioned allergy herbs, as well as the following.

  • Bromelain

    The enzyme bromelain, when taken on an empty stomach, seems to help break down allergy-related inflammatory compounds.

  • Boswellia

    Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is a potent anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory herb resin related to frankincense.

Spring Allergies Arriving Early?

Allergies plague many of us. What's worse, is springtime has been arriving up to two weeks earlier than it did two decades ago.

Research from the US Department of Agriculture shows that the ragweed pollen season is lengthening too—by 27 days in the most northern regions of North America.

An Early Defense Beats Allergies

Fortunately, some remedies from Mother Nature can reduce or eliminate your suffering. It's almost always easier to prevent allergy symptom flare-up than to stop full-blown symptoms.

Commencing treatment early appears to be most effective. Some studies suggest starting herbal allergy remedies up to seven weeks before the season begins. Talk to a practitioner trained in herbal medicine about the best course of therapy for you.

Herbal Remedies for Allergies

For the best results, start taking supportive remedies like quercetin and nettles before allergy season hits.

• Horehound

  Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) is best known for wet, productive coughs, but I find it incredibly useful for my allergy clients to quickly clear up mucus and remedy post-nasal drip. It may also help with asthma.

  I use a tincture made from fresh aerial parts, 30 to 60 drops one or two times a day, or you can try capsules. Seek a high-quality product in stores; some are more effective than others. Horehound may (rarely) raise blood pressure, and it tastes bitter.

• Goldenrod

  Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) is another lesser-known allergy remedy that I rely on for my clients. This common weed (often inaccurately blamed for causing allergies) seems to act like a mild antihistamine and helps drain sinus congestion and thin mucus. I usually use it as a tincture, often in combination with horehound, but you can also use a tea. It is also a diuretic, so don’t be surprised if you empty your bladder more often.

• Quercetin

  Quercetin seems to be the most universally effective natural allergy remedy anecdotally, though research is limited. The bioflavanoid is found naturally in apples, tea, red onions, and red grapes, but the supplemental form is often extracted from corn and combined with vitamin C and bromelain.

  It seems to have antihistamine, antioxidant properties and works best preventively. Start taking the capsules a few weeks before and throughout your usual allergy season.

  Studies have found that increased apple consumption (naturally high in quercetin) improved lung health in people with lung disease including asthma and bronchitis. It’s well tolerated; however, it is a mild plant estrogen, so there is a theoretical risk for drug interaction with hormone therapy drugs. Consult your practitioner if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a risk for estrogen-dependent cancers.

• Bromelain

  Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme found in pineapple cores. When taken on an empty stomach, it helps break down protein-based inflammatory and allergy-related compounds like histamine.

  Research on sinusitis suggests that bromelain also helps by thinning mucus secretions. The supplement is also used for pain, inflammation, sprains, tendonitis, postoperative swelling, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and bronchitis. Research suggests it may also improve immune health. Bromelain is generally safe. It thins the blood, so use caution if you take blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder.

• Butterbur

  Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has been prescribed in Germany for more than 30 years for the treatment of migraines, and it’s gaining popularity in the United States. I’m most apt to turn to butterbur for clients who have a pattern of allergies, asthma, and/or migraines since it works well for all three conditions.

  It appears to inhibit the inflammatory compounds leukotriene and histamine and relax smooth muscles. In a Swiss study with more than 300 participants, butterbur worked better than placebo and as well as Allegra for hay fever symptoms with experienced fewer side effects (no drowsiness) compared to the drug.

  Much of the research has been done on the trademarked Petadolex, a special extract of butterbur that does not contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be toxic to the liver.

  According to research and epidemiological evidence, PA-free butterbur is well tolerated with few side effects or drug interactions. However, I have seen a few people experience extreme nausea.

• Nettles

  Nettles (Urtica dioica) in freeze-dried capsules has performed relatively well in clinical studies for allergies, and seems to work as a mild antihistamine to prevent and treat symptoms for some people. Although I find it doesn’t work for everyone, it’s worth trying because it’s extremely safe, affordable, and has some nice “side effects” as a mineral-rich, alkalizing, diuretic food herb.

Nasal Rinsing to Treat Allergies

Nasal irrigation is a useful habit. Neti pots filled with warm saltwater help clear the sinuses for both chronic and acute allergies and infections.

Do a nasal flush as you need it or every day if you have chronic issues.

Try it before bed so you breathe better while sleeping. After rinsing, be sure to blow your nose gently, leaving one nostril uncovered so you don’t force fluid toward your ears.

A fall chill may be in the air, but if you’re one of the 40 million Americans suffering from allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever, a change in the seasons doesn’t necessarily mean a break from sneezing and other allergy symptoms.

Herbs for Fall Allergies

Try these herbal solutions to help lessen the severity of allergy-related symptoms, including sinus pressure, runny nose, and congestion.

• Ginkgo

  Ginkgo biloba possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and it may be used to calm allergy symptoms and coughs.

  Used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years, its ability to ease a wide range of symptoms makes ginkgo a great choice for herbal allergy relief.

• Nettle

  Although the name sounds scary, stinging nettle is an affordable and safe herb to try if you are suffering from hay fever, as it appears to act as a mild antihistamine.

  This versatile herb, if properly prepared, can be eaten as a vegetable, boiled and added to a soup, or made into tea.

  It's also available as a supplement in freeze-dried capsules.

• Garlic

  Garlic helps treat symptoms such as sinus congestion and coughs, which can plague allergy sufferers at this time of year.

  With more than 70 active ingredients, this herb can also help to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.

• Goldenrod

  Because it blooms at the same time as ragweed, the common weed called goldenrod is frequently, but incorrectly, blamed for causing hay fever symptoms.

  In fact, this herb seems to lessen allergy symptoms by helping to drain sinus congestion and thin mucus.

  Some research suggests that it might also be able to fight infection and reduce inflammation.

  Goldenrod can be taken as a liquid extract (tincture), or brewed as a tea.

Talk about adding insult to injury. Seventy-five percent of asthmatic adults ages 20 to 40 and 65 percent of adults ages 55 and older have at least one allergy, according to a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Allergists have long known that children with asthma are likely to have allergies too, but this study shows that it’s far more common for adult asthmatics to also have allergies than previously thought.

Since asthma and allergies can strike at any age, hope (pardon the pun, allergy sufferers) springs eternal. Your allergies may disappear as quickly as they appeared.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma, a hereditary disease that causes the airways to become constricted or blocked, affects 26 million Americans. The connection between asthma and allergies is important to properly diagnose and treat both of these afflictions because often, allergens alone can cause asthmatic attacks.

Common Triggers for Asthma

• Allergens
  • pollen
  • pet dander
  • mites
  • dust
  • foods
    • shellfish
    • peanuts
• Air-Borne Irritants
  • smoke
    • cigarettes
    • barbeques
    • fireplaces
  • chemical fumes
    • pesticides
    • air fresheners
    • cleaners
    • paint
    • perfume
    • gasoline
    • car exhaust
• Respiratory Infections
  • colds
  • the flu
• Exercise

Natural Remedies for Asthma

Although over-the-counter remedies are available to mitigate allergic reactions, some can bring their own side effects.

Allergy sufferers may want to consider natural therapies to relieve their suffering. Always consult your health care professional first, but here are some solutions from Mother Nature.

• Butterbur

  This European herb in tablet form, taken four times a day, has been shown to be as effective as pharmaceutical antihistamines to combat hay fever.

• Quercetin

  A plant-derived flavonoid extracted from fruits, grains, vegetables, and leaves, it has been shown to be effective in controlling the histamines that trigger allergic reactions.

• Spicy Foods

  Sometimes, help is as close as your kitchen. Spicy foods can help clear the sinus passages by thinning mucus secretions.

  • cayenne pepper
  • hot ginger
  • onion
  • garlic
  • fenugreek

This spring will be perfect for you—if you’re a bird or a bee.

If you’re a human who suffers from allergies, it has the potential to be a nightmare.

After we suffer through the tree pollens in March and April, grass pollens hit most of the country in May and June.

But, Mother Nature has a way of balancing things out. Even as she challenges your sinuses, she offers remedies to ease your pain.

Allergy-Fighting Foods

Try some of these foods known to naturally help with hay fever, congestion, and other allergic reactions when spring is in the air.

• Broccoli

  ​Bring on the broccoli when your sinuses are blocked.

  This member of the crucifer family is high in vitamin C: one cup of raw broccoli contains about 80 milligrams (mg).

  Research has shown 500 mg of Vitamin C daily can ease allergy symptoms.

• Citrus fruits

  Thanks to their mega-doses of vitamin C, citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are good weapons in the quest to breathe freely when pollen and other irritants are in the air.

• Collard greens

  Collard greens offer allergy-fighting carotenoids.

  To help your body absorb their nutrients more readily, eat collard greens with a fat. Try sautéing them in extra-virgin olive oil.

• Elderberries

  Elderberries contain flavonoids that reduce inflammation.

  Ease your suffering by imbibing some elderberry wine, enjoying a glass of juice, or spreading some jam on toast or crackers.

• Garlic & Onions

  The quercetin in onions and garlic (apples too) acts like an antihistamine so it minimizes allergic reactions.

  Try roasted garlic or carmelized onions on a slice of pizza or with bruschetta.

• Miso soup

  Miso (and other broths) are known to help mitigate the mucus that builds up in the nasal passages during allergy season.

  Other mucus-clearing foods include spicy foods, such as horseradish, cayenne, or chili powder.

• Beets, purple/red grapes

  The anthocyanins that give certain foods, such as beets, purple or red grapes, berries, and cherries, their dark violet-like color have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swollen membranes that make breathing difficult.

Tea for Allergy Relief

A wide variety of herbal teas can ease seasonal allergy symptoms. Here are a few to try.

• Rooibos Tea

  Rooibos has components that naturally block the release of histamines.

  Rooibos is even thought to help allergy-sensitive systems to metabolize the irritants.

• Ginger Tea

  Ginger tea is a natural antihistamine that helps reduce nasal inflammation.

• Peppermint Tea

  Peppermint tea is a natural decongestant that can slow the production of histamines and the symptoms that go with them.

• Green Tea

  Green tea is rich in antioxidants and helps block the body’s reaction to allergens like pollen, dust, and animal dander.